Who first told the story of the Garden of Eden? Could it have been a way to explain the unfolding Agricultural Revolution from the perspective of the people who were there?

The Garden of Eden has been told and retold for thousands of years. Why do we keep telling it? With insight from modern biblical scholarship, we investigate the origins of this ancient story and what warning this active myth still has yet to be heeded today.

It's an adventure to the far flung lands of Alex's 5th grade classroom as well as the lush old-growth forests of the Middle East (before all the desertification).

There's parables, characters, and plenty of special effects. You'll want to bring some popcorn for this one. And don't listen to anything that serpent tells you on the way in.

This episode is largely indebted to the research and writing of J. Snodgrass and his fascinating book "Genesis and the Rise of Civilization". If you would like to learn more, you'll find an exclusive interview with J. Snodgrass on the HNO Patreon.

If you'd like to support Human Nature Odyssey, please subscribe wherever you listen, leave a review, and join us on Patreon for exclusive audio extras, writings, and notes.

For full episode transcripts, essays, and additional context, visit: resilience.org/human-nature-odyssey-podcast

Citations

Ishmael by Daniel Quinn (1992)

Genesis and the Rise of Civilization by j. Snodgrass (2011)

Sapiens by Yuval Harari (2011)

Indigenous Continent: The Epic Conquest of North America by Pekka Hämäläinen (2022)

The Worst Mistake in the History of the Human Race from Discovery Magazine (1999)

Beat Provided By https://freebeats.io Produced By White Hot

Music: Celestial Soda Pop

By: Ray Lynch

From the album: Deep Breakfast

Courtesy Ray Lynch Productions © Ⓟ 1984/BMI

All rights reserved.

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https://music.apple.com/us/album/celestial-soda-pop/3242445?i=3242425

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https://open.spotify.com/track/2THDVIVytLuGX7S7UghuC1?si=20ea63807bba401f